Thursday: The Reward of the Righteous
As we have seen in Proverbs, so much of the instruction and teaching given has been presented by contrasting two types of people. The wise person does this, the fool does that.
The godly man does that, the wicked man does this.
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
Of course, in reality, there’s often a bit of wisdom and foolishness in all of us. With the exception of Jesus, we all are sinners, we all fall short of the glory of God
(Rom. 3:23). Fortunately, we have the wonderful promise that comes in the next verse: though we are sinners, by faith we can be justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
(Rom. 3:24).
In the end, all humanity is going to be in either one of two camps: people who are going to be saved or lost.
Read John 3:16. What two options does all humanity face?
Read Proverbs 13:1-25. How does this chapter contrast the experience and fate of the righteous with that of the wicked?
The wise are compared to a lasting lamp, while the wicked are compared to a lamp that will be put out (Prov. 13:9). The wise person will enjoy the good fruit of his or her work, while the sinner will reap evil (Proverbs 13:2, Prov. 13:25). Through their children (Prov. 13:22), the wise have a future even beyond themselves; the wicked, instead, will leave their wealth to strangers, even to the righteous (Prov. 13:22).
The point is that a life of faith and obedience to the Lord is better than a life of disobedience and folly.
Putting aside the big issue of the promise of eternal life, what are some of the immediate, day-to-day advantages that you have experienced through living a life of faith in Christ?
(25)
One benefit of living a life of faith is having a peace of mind. I always cherish this peace and my faith in Christ gets strengthened by the day
day-to-day advantages that you have experienced through living a life of faith in Christ?
Two advantages come to mind
Inner Peace: (footprints in the sand) no matter what turmoil there is in my life I know that the LORD is at my side to support me and even to carry me sometimes.
Purpose: I am part of the LORD’s plan to end the Great Controversy started by Satan about the goodness of God.
On God's side i have power to overcome temptation
I have seen the day to day advantages of God working in my life. When i face trials and temptations, God is there working behind the scenes for the good of me. I see it regularly and i thank Him for that. Praises.
I agree with the last writer, I have had a life of peace. Not saying there are no problems and strife and worry do not assail me, but my peace comes in remembering God is with me and will never leave me or forsake me. I have actually seen Him work out situations and literally been in awe. Not just peace but remembering His promise that if He is for me He is more than the whole world against me. Also, a sense of God's got this, and learning to lean on Him through thick or thin and letting Him teach me that the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal. Mine is a day by day growth, with failures, but learning to trust is one of my most important messages God is teaching me. I love Him.
Day to day I am learning that nothing shall separate me from the love of God. Not my weaknesses or my trials. I am learning each day to take one day at a time trusting that God is with me and is concerned about everything that concerns me and my family. God is teaching me how to allow Him to fight my battles, and it feels awesome when I allow God to step in and be my strength. He loves me so much.
Day by Day I am learning to grow in the grace and the knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and as a result It has challenge me to be intentional with my out look as it relates to what I say and do and how I relate to my brothers and sisters. My pray for this Church that I love so dearly is that we too will be intentional with how we reveal the love of God portrayed to our brothers and sister not only as depicted through the eyes of European culture as seen in the selection of pictures we use for imagery, but also reveal him in the diversity of every nation tongue and kindred. Peace and Love
Day by day and with each passing moment strength I find to meet my trials here trusting in my Father's wise bestowment I have no cause for worry or for fear.
A void in my life has been filled, just knowing the Lord loves us and will forgive, he know's our imperfections. Just reading these comments gives me joy to know we are reading his words.
I had a university exam today and as I was walking to the examination hall one of my friends said that I looked very relaxed. I had just prayed and asked for God to be with me and help me through this hard unit and final exam. I felt at ease because I had faith that God was with me and that was a big advantage for me, as he helped me recall all that I had learnt, I nearly felt like laughing as I knew the answers from one multiple choice question to the next. So my big advantage was and is God in my life, he helps me to get through anything. Thank you God and Amen.
"The light of the righteous rejoices" in verse 9 reminds me of this quote that speaks to the same issue. "From every member of the church a steady light may shine forth before the world, so that they shall not be led to inquire, what do these people more than others?" 1SM p123-4
Our distance from God through lack of sufficient prayer/study/meditation (God's way) prevents us from emanating HIS light to others as God intends.
Oh that we might all be closer to God through substantial daily time spent with Him.
I have achieved a lot in life and i keep on achieving thru faith in Him and through His GRACE.i AM SO GRATEFUL
If we were to have no reward, would we still love the Lord our God with all our heart(mind), and with all our might? Deuteronomy 6:5. Hince forth is laid up for me a crown. 2Timothy 4:8. Hold fast to your faith so you don't loose your crown. Revelation 3:11. Looks like to me we are never asked that question. We are asked to love the Lord, have faith in the Lord, and obey Him. To obey is better than sacrafice. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31. For God so loved the world that whom so ever believes in Him, shall not parish, but have ever lasting life. John 3:16. Sounds like that we have a God that loves us so much that we are drawn to Him. Let's not resist.
John, you ask a question that I have pondered more than once. We often repeat the verse that you mentioned, also found in Matt 22:37, however do we know how to apply, and what the motive is? Is it for a reward we hope to receive in this life? In Matt 22:40,Jesus said all the law and the prophets are supported or held together by the love commandments. God Loved us before we loved Him, 1john 4:10. The question you ask is multifaceted and I wonder if the words sincere and genuine fit in anywhere?
I surrender to God because He loves me. I guess I can not get around serving Him for the rewards. The rewards are His forgiveness, mercy, grace, compassion, love, Holy Spirit, salvation, redemption, protection, guidance, and peace of mind. Most of all Calvery. (Jesus)
I have realized that without Godly wisdom we lying to our selves that we are wise. Each day with the lesson I am learning something new. May God grant us the wisdom to understand his word not only for our benefit but for the benefit of others around us.
I am strengthened to know that no matter how long the night maybe,the morning will surely come.That weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.Therefore knowing how long sorrow will last will not be my lesson,how deep it will injure not my subject,but my daily homework is to trust and to know that my Redeemer lives.